Accessibility

Connecticut may cut Dial-a-Ride funds

STAMFORD, Conn. — Senior transportation providers across the state are concerned about a possible state budget proposal that would decrease matching grants provided for Dial-A-Ride services, stamfordadvocate.com reports. The proposal would reduce funding from $8 million to $6 million in the 2012-13 state budget.

Members of the legislature's transportation committee said the group is still discussing the cut, among other proposals, to reduce spending. For the full story, click here.

Transportation America’s 5-year, $208 million contract states the county will withhold the disputed amounts from the company while the dispute is resolved. But, transit officials say they are conceding to TA attorneys who claim the contract language is ambiguous and letting the company hold the cash.

According to police, the Hampton Roads Transit bus driver saw the person traveling on the street in the direction of the bus and swerved at the last second to avoid a direct collision with the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair struck the right side of the bus.

The Winnipeg Taxi Board initially denied Sunshine Transit Services an accessible limousine license in 2012. With the signing of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, help from the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and the Public Interest Law Center, Manitoba's one and only accessible limo license was granted to Sunshine Transit Services in August 2014.

The goal of the updated process is to ensure that only persons who meet the regulatory criteria are regarded as eligible for paratransit service, making this vital service more efficient. Eligibility is based on limitations to an individual’s abilities, not just the presence of a disability.